Alyssa Holmes, center, volunteers weekly at the Second Harvest Food Bank warehouse in Watsonville on Oct. 30, 2025. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local)

SANTA CRUZ >> Local food distribution sites are bracing for a surge in demand as the federal shutdown continues and food assistance benefits are not expected to be issued on Nov. 1.

The federal program is called SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and was formerly called food stamps. The California version is CalFresh. More than 30,000 Santa Cruz County residents — representing about 20,000 households — rely on the monthly payments. An estimated $6 million is distributed to low income county residents each month to assist in buying groceries — spending that also supports local grocers, small businesses, and food retailers.

Despite the federal shutdown impacting services, CalFresh recipients are advised to attend any scheduled appointments, renew benefits when asked and report changes in income as is typically required. Check benefits and submit documents online or call 888-421-8080.

The county is directing residents in need to the local nonprofit Second Harvest Food Bank, which is preparing for a rise in demand.

Second Harvest CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez said the organization is anticipating it will serve more than 100,000 people in November. Last month, they helped 73,000 residents. The number of volunteers needed — typically between 150 and 200 people — is expected to double. Food distribution partners across the county including Salvation Army, Barrios Unidos and Grey Bears are also calling for additional support.

While the state allocated $200,000 in emergency funding to Second Harvest, Padilla-Chavez said it’s essentially a drop in the bucket of what is needed as SNAP is cut off. County supervisors are set to consider a $500,000 contribution to Second Harvest at its Nov. 4 meeting.

The SNAP cut off comes as local food banks have already been hit by federal cuts. Second Harvest lost close to $1 million in federal support earlier this year.

“We’re busy fundraising, and we’re using our reserves and other contingencies to make sure that we have enough food to care for our community,” she said.

It’s not clear when the federal shutdown could end or SNAP be refunded. Padilla-Chavez said the organization is preparing for the possibility of a longer term scenario without federal food benefits.

Padilla-Chavez said Second Harvest has received calls from CalFresh recipients unsure where to turn if their benefits are suspended, noting that many are first timers and have never sought help from a food bank before.

Padilla-Chavez said the organization is expecting long lines for food distribution and may need to limit portions according to demand. During a similar surge early in the pandemic, households of four typically received two bags of produce and two bags of whatever other miscellaneous items were in stock.

“We’re going to try to see if we can accommodate (distributing similar portions as during the pandemic) early on, but we may need to ration food, depending on what we see in terms of surge and need,” she said.

Maria Vazquez, a professor at Watsonville Post-Secondary school, volunteers with some of her students at Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville on Oct. 30. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local)

How will local residents be affected?

Residents can still use unspent funds, said Adam Spickler, spokesperson for the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department.

“Anyone who has CalFresh funds remaining unspent from prior months will be able to use their EBT [Electronic Benefits Transfer] card in November,” Spickler said. “There just will not be any new November funds added until the federal shutdown is reconciled.”

Spickler emphasized that recipients will not lose eligibility or have their cases closed due to the shutdown. He urged current beneficiaries to continue submitting reports, renewals and verifications so their benefits can resume promptly once funding is restored, and encouraged people to apply for CalFresh regardless of the funding pause.

According to state officials, the WIC program — which provides food and nutrition support for low-income women, infants and children — will not be affected in November. Tony Nuñez, communications manager for Community Bridges, the nonprofit that oversees the county’s WIC distribution, said funds are secured for the coming month but noted uncertainty if the shutdown continues.

How did we get here?

The federal shutdown began on Oct. 1 and stems from a budget deadlock between congressional Republicans and Democrats. 

California has joined 23 other states in suing President Donald Trump and his administration, seeking emergency funding to cover food benefits. An internal memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, revealed the department has $5 billion in emergency funds that could partially cover food assistance for November but leaders chose not to use the money, Reuters reported on Oct. 24.

Governor Gavin Newsom called the withholding of funds “cruel,” saying it highlights the president’s disregard for ordinary people. He committed $80 million in state funds to support food banks.

SNAP serves nearly 42 million Americans with 5.5 million Californians receiving roughly $1.1 billion monthly. The average family gets about $330 per month. The New York Times reported on Friday that a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to continue paying for food stamps during the government shutdown, but it remained unclear if or when food stamps would actually reach people who rely on monthly federal help.

Are we missing any food assistance services we should include? Please email us at: [email protected].

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